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MBA Voices
MBA Voices
I grew up in San Diego, California, so Tijuana, Mexico, where I was born, was just a drive away. While I was in physical proximity to my roots, I have always felt like I was walking a tightrope. I spent a lot of time trying to balance feeling both Mexican and American, often questioning internally: Am I Latina “enough”? Am I “American” enough? Would I be able to make my family proud and honor my roots? Would I be able to make my American identity shine just as bright to prove my love for this country? [...]
As I walked down Treasury’s steps for the first time at the White House complex, I looked up at the East Wing, and the vivid images came rushing to my head. I pictured my parents fleeing the violence in Colombia and the stark contrast of Treasury’s polished steps with the worn, creaking steps of my childhood apartment complex. I recollected the decisive moments that brought me from my hometown of Long Beach, California to Washington, DC, where I had the honor of working with our nation’s most senior leaders, as well as our global allies and partners. [...]
Growing up in the US as the daughter of immigrants — my mom from Colombia and my dad an Armenian from Turkey — I never quite fit in. I felt too foreign to be American and too “other” among individuals from either of my heritages. My childhood and teen years were filled with the challenge of juggling each of these unique identities, often assimilating or overcompensating one or some combination of them to try to fit in. [...]
To me, being Latino means taking immense pride in our Hispanic heritage and the traditions that come with it. I was raised in Lima, Peru, but my journey led me to the United States, where I attended college at the University of Kansas and later embarked on a career in Kansas City. I never imagined I would spend a decade in the Midwest. However, as I transitioned into adulthood, I began to realize that certain elements of Peru were conspicuously absent from my life. I yearned for the cuisine, the vibrant national holiday celebrations, the fervor for soccer, and so much more. Yet, I came to understand that what I missed were not mere physical artifacts, they were experiences—the warmth of the people from my homeland, which I still fondly call home. This realization fuels my fervor for encouraging others to visit Peru, to immerse themselves in its enchanting culture. It's why I consider myself an ambassador of my country, eager to introduce people to its rich traditions and to kindle the warmth within their souls. [...]
According to research, only a mere 3% of individuals holding an MBA identify as Latinas, and we have among the lowest representation in senior business positions and corporate boards. In part, the strong desire to challenge these statistics fueled my path to apply to HBS. With its long-standing mission of educating leaders who make a difference in the world, Harvard provides the platform to develop the critical skills and connections to challenge the status quo. For me, that means championing investment in the educational and financial empowerment of underserved communities, especially the Latine community. [...]
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The views and opinions expressed in the MBA Voices blog are those of the authors.
Any political views shared by students are their own; HBS does not endorse a
particular party or candidate.